Denbigh Patriots

August 29, 2007|By DAVE JOHNSON Daily Press

STANDOUT

In this age of specialization, Simmons is a three-sport kid who also plays basketball and baseball. He even runs a little track. At 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, he's a rangy athlete who can get to the ball and doesn't mind hitting. He wasn't involved much in the offense last year, catching only two passes for 15 yards, but he could be a vital part of it this season. Harrod considers him "a diamond in the rough."

AT A GLANCE

2006: 7-3 overall, 6-3 in the Peninsula District.

COACH: Tracy Harrod (sixth year, 19-31).

SCHOOL COLORS: Red, white and blue

SCHOOL PHONE: 886-7700.

WEB SITE: denbigh.nn.k12.va.us

HOME STADIUM: Todd

FAMOUS ALUMS: Mike Tomlin, Marcus Mickel, Antoine Bethea.

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

Devon Simmons Sr. WR/DB 6-2/180

Jazz Holiday Sr. QB/DE 6-1/220

Jodee McNeill Jr. RB/CB 5-9/170

Dominique Simmons Sr. WB/LB 6-2/190

Jacob Jones Sr. FB/LB 5-10/175

2007 SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

Aug. 30 Woodside (7-3) 7

Sept. 7 at Lake Taylor (9-2) 7

Sept. 14 Heritage (4-6) 7

Sept. 20 Hampton (9-2) 7

Sept. 29 at Kecoughtan (4-6) 2

Oct. 6 Bethel (4-6) 1

Oct. 12 at Warwick (5-5) 7

Oct. 20 Gloucester (1-9) 2

Oct. 27 at Menchville (2-8) 1

Nov. 1 at Phoebus (13-1) 7

2006 RESULTS

Opponent Score

Churchland W, 34-16

Woodside L, 19-21

Phoebus L, 12-48

Heritage W, 28-13

Menchville W, 14-13

Hampton L, 0-35

Gloucester W, 26-0

Warwick W, 39-14

Bethel W, 23-10

Kecoughtan W, 46-20

TEAM BREAKDOWN

OFFENSIVE

Of the 19 seniors Denbigh lost, one was its starting quarterback, another was its leading rusher and a third was the district's best lineman. But the way Harrod figures it, the program is far enough along that he should be able to rebuild. Taking over at QB will be senior Jazz Holiday, who is inexperienced but has good size and skills. Jodee McNeill, who rushed for 98 of his 254 yards in the season's final game, is the top returning rusher.

DEFENSIVE

A good nucleus returns from a unit that gave up 41 points in the season's final four games. DE Dominique Simmons returns to anchor the line, and Mike Bray and Jacob Jones provide a steady presence at linebacker. Devon Simmons, one of the best athletes in the district, returns at FS. Of Denbigh's 10 opponents last season, only Hampton and Phoebus scored more than three touchdowns. And if the Patriots are to match last season's success, the defense might have to carry the load early.

OVERVIEW

Denbigh had the look of a playoff team in the final weeks of the 2006 season. In fact, had the VHSL been using the format that goes into effect this year, the Patriots would have made the postseason with ease. Now, they will be relying on untested players at key positions. If Harrod is concerned, it's masking it well. "Maybe they're not well known out there," he said, "but we know them. And we know what they can do."